A Distance Learning Course is the ideal way to gain a qualification without having the worry of trying to fit your studies around your everyday life. You can complete your studies in your own time and we are on hand seven days a week to help you plan your future.

Course Description

If you want to develop your knowledge of Criminal Law so that you can embark on a rewarding career or maybe you are already working in a related field and want to improve your career prospects, then this is the course for you.

A good knowledge of criminal law is useful if you are considering working in a wide range of professions, such as social work, government social policy, Crown prosecution service and the police force.

Criminal acts are considered offences against the whole of a community. The state, in addition to certain international organizations, has responsibility for crime prevention, for bringing the culprits to justice, and for dealing with convicted offenders. The police, the criminal courts and prisons are all publicly funded services, though the main focus of criminal law concerns the role of the courts, how they apply criminal statutes and common law, and why some forms of behaviour are considered criminal.

The Distance Learning Introduction to Criminal Law course is ideal for anyone who may want to pursue a career in criminology or criminal law and also for those who may want to improve their knowledge of how the criminal justice system operates.

Previous Knowledge Required

You do not need any prior learning knowledge or experience to take this course. This course is openly available to anyone who wishes to take part in a highly rewarding home study course, although you would be expected to have a reasonable standard of literacy.

You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 12 months from initial registration with the full support of your Tutor.

Support

You will receive the entire package of course materials in a single dispatch together with dedicated Tutor Support for 12 months. All assignments are marked by one of our professional Tutors who will offer regular feedback and guide you through your course.

You will be provided with the telephone number for your dedicated Student Support Team who will be available for any other queries that you may have whilst completing your course. You can be assured that you will receive unlimited support for your home study course, so there is no need to struggle or feel isolated during your studies.

Assessment

You must successfully complete a series of activities and assessments. Once all assessments and activities have been completed satisfactorily, you will then be awarded your certificate. The good news is, there is no final exam.

You can enrol online today by either paying in full or taking advantage of our easy payment plan. The first instalment will be due one month following enrolment.

Payment Method

Version

Initial Payment

Monthly Instalment

Total Payable

Pay in Full

Paper

£369.00

Nil

£369.00

Instalment Option 1

Paper

£216.00

£56.50 X 4 months

£442.00

Instalment Option 2

Paper

£110.50

£110.50 X 3 months

£442.00

Please note the easy payment plan is not available to International Students.

Delivery costs are as follows:
UK - Free Delivery
Europe - £40.00
Rest of the World - £65.00
Payment of delivery charges will be required before dispatch of your course.

Modules

Unit 1: General Principles of Criminal Liability

Criminal Law

Sources of Criminal Law

Precedent

Ratio decidendi and obiter dicta

Statutory Interpretation

Elements of criminal liability

Mens rea and actus reus

Specific and Basic Intent Crimes

Unit 2: The Courts and Access to Legal Advice

The Criminal Court System

The Magistrates Court and the Crown Court

Appeals

The Legal Profession: Judges, Magistrates and Juries

The Crown Prosecution Service

Sentencing

Types of Sentence

Legal Aid for Criminal Cases

Unit 3: Police Powers

The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

Stop and Search

Search of Premises

Arrest

Time limits relating to detention

Custody Officer

Rights of the Detained Person

Fingerprints and Body Samples

Out of Court Disposal

Complaints Against the Police

Unit 4: Property Offences

Theft

Robbery

Burglary

Blackmail

Fraud

Damage to Property

Simple criminal damage

Aggravated criminal damage

Unit 5: Non-Fatal Violence Offences Against the Person

Assault

Battery

Offences against the Person Act 1861

Wounding

Psychiatric injury

Actual and Grievous Bodily Harm

Law in Action

General Defences

Law Reform

Unit 6: Unlawful Homicide

Murder

Causation

Mens Rea of Murder

The Actus Reus of Murder

Joint Enterprise

Partial Defences to Murder

Manslaughter (voluntary and involuntary)

Gross Negligence manslaughter

Awarding Organisation

At the end of this course successful learners will receive a level 3 NCFE Award certificate of achievement. That means that it is independently accredited at a level of learning equivalent to level 3 on The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (where level 2 and 3 courses are similar in difficulty to GCSEs and A Levels, respectively, and where level 4 courses are slightly more challenging than an A-level).

The training courses have been designed specifically to meet the needs of learners who prefer to study from home. The course measurable learning outcomes have been benchmarked at Level 3 (using Ofqual's QCF level descriptors) to allow you to consider the depth of study, difficulty, and level of achievement involved. This course has been accredited under NCFE IIQ Licence by Open Study College which has been approved as an NCFE Investing in Quality (IIQ) centre to give formal recognition to courses.

NCFE is recognised as an Awarding Organisation by the qualification regulators for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. These are Ofqual (the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator in England); the Welsh Government and CCEA (the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment) in Northern Ireland.

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